In an open-ended question about the most important health care problem for the government to address, responses related to the cost of health care have historically been the highest on the list. In August 2005, health care costs were mentioned by nearly four in ten adults (39%, including 17% citing the cost of health care, 15% citing prescription drug costs, and 11% health insurance costs).

Access to health care and insurance ranks second (23%), followed by senior citizens’ issues (13%) and specific medical conditions (12%).